joining as chief officer

Hi

This is about my assignment as a chief officer for the first time.
Well I joined msc paola ……. A container vessel 1280teu and length 201.75mtrs as a chief officer …….. my idea of being a chief officer was vague …… not really knowing wat it is about or wat is expected of me .
The real eye opener for me was wen I went my good friend anto’s house . His sister Anita asked me wat were my duties as a chief officer onboard …….. I was stumped ……… lets say to this unexpected question which was put forward ……… I was like hm hm this u know…….. n this that ……… answering vaguely ……. Then was the rescue ………… Anto’s dad who was there told me “ he will know and learn wen he goes on ship ………. Don’t worry about that ……… he will do it “
This incident was a eye opener to my ignorance …….. of wanting to be a chief officer and not knowing wat it is all about ……… I was ashamed of myself but then understood even my friends were equally ignorant of the fact ………..

Theory set aside on wat a chief officer is supposed to do …….. I did not know the practical side of being a chief officer or the day to day routine required by me.

This incident did not shake my confidence but made me aware of the adversities I face and the short comings I may encounter.

Then came the part of joining ship ……… went Mumbai office ……. They treat me with respect and acknowledge me as a individual contrary to my earlier visits there ……. I used to hate goin to Mumbai but now the idea is changing .

Then actually joining ship……. The ship is the best I have sailed in so far in msc ……. The ship has the bare necessities of being a good container ship …….. it’s a cellular container ship . all ballast lines hyd operated and working fine . the loading software working fine , the bilge lines working fine and of course the hatch covers liftable pontoons ….. then the most imp of all I have a real patient and cool Capt ……. He is Capt Binay Kumar Singh..

Then the real problem I faced and its quite a challenge trust me …….. its when the crew come to you for work distribution , I have 4 welders on deck ……. A bosun and 2 cadets
So directly I have to decide the job for 9 people (3 ab’s and os under bosun)…….. and of course plan the job and efficiently accomplish it …….. then two more guys thickness measurement technicians who joined with me ……..

Every day morning I felt like a fool …….. asking the crew “wat do you think we must do today “ …….. the bosun and the welders were really good staff …… the first week they were having ideas and started cooperating and taking care of the stuff …….

The master did his part of being patient , would advise me on the things to take care of and plan ……. In a weeks time I got the hang of it and felt comfortable

After being a junior officer in 4 ships ……. And after making fun of and criticizing all my seniors I realize now that it was never easy for them either …….. and being a junior officer you usually have lot of ideas nd views on various problems onboard …….. but wen you are on the hot seat they vanish

Then the next challenge is decision making …….. regarding holidays or off or for anything in that matter ……… decisions regarding the loading and the stowage plan …….. or the thickness measurement tanks to decide

I had this odd feeling of asking the capt for the guidance ……. The capt was very stern in saying that I have full independence …… that means I carry my own cross …… too much asking the capt would make me a pussy ……. Too bold will make me insubordinate ……..

Then slowly as days go by I have learnt the fine line is dealing with the situation

So only advice I have to my friends reading this blog is ………

Be patient …….. and ready to accept your mistakes ( no Ego )
be courteous and friendly with the people you are associated with
then of course don’t go hammer and tongs with the engineers and start a civil war of engine and deck department onboard
in the end the chief officers job is managing crew make sure you keep the team spirit and the working atmosphere open for people to pool in their ideas and views and issues .